The Willmar WarHawks are a Tier III junior ice hockey team playing in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The team plays their home games at the Willmar Civic Center located in Willmar, Minnesota.
NA3HL teams play a 47-game regular season schedule, and additional post-season games (if qualifying for playoffs). The Warhawks compete in the West Division of the NA3HL along with the Alexandria Blizzard, Granite City Lumberjacks, Mason City Toros, Minnesota Moose, and Minnesota Wilderness.
History
Established as the Minnesota Flying Aces, the franchise's first season was in 2007–08 as members of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). The Flying Aces were based out Little Falls, Minnesota, and played their home games at Exchange Arena.
Following the 2010–11 season, the franchise moved to the North American 3 Hockey League along with in-state rival, the Granite City Lumberjacks.
On May 24, 2016, Flying Aces owners John and Debbie Holthaus sold the franchise to Blizzard Hockey, LLC. Blizzard Hockey also owns the North American Hockey League's St. Cloud Norsemen and the NA3HL's Alexandria Blizzard. The new owners then relocated the franchise to Willmar, Minnesota. It was at this time the team was renamed the Willmar WarHawks.
Season-by-Season Team Records Regular season records, as of conclusion of 2025-26 season Season Team Name League GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Regular season Finish Playoffs 2007–08 Minnesota Flying Aces MnJHL 48 14 31 1 2 31 160 214 7th of 9, MnJHL Won 1st Round, 2–0 vs Wisconsin MustangsLost 2nd Round, 1–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks 2008–09 Minnesota Flying Aces MnJHL 48 16 30 0 2 34 153 252 6th of 9, MnJHL Lost 1st Rd 0–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks 2009–10 Minnesota Flying Aces MnJHL 50 15 32 0 3 33 181 251 6th of 9, MnJHL Lost 1st Rd 0–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks 2010–11 Minnesota Flying Aces MnJHL 45 26 15 0 4 56 180 164 3rd of 8, MnJHL Lost 1st Round, 1–2 vs Hudson Crusaders 2011–12 Minnesota Flying Aces NA3HL 48 21 24 2 1 45 176 201 4th of 4, West Div.12th of 16, NA3HL Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs Granite City Lumberjacks 2012–13 Minnesota Flying Aces NA3HL 48 20 26 1 1 42 137 175 4th of 6, West Div.11th of 17, NA3HL Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs North Iowa Bulls 2013–14 Minnesota Flying Aces NA3HL 48 9 36 3 — 21 111 275 5th of 6, West Div.19th of 21, NA3HL Did not qualify 2014–15 Minnesota Flying Aces NA3HL 47 7 37 3 — 17 109 273 6th of 6, West Div.30th of 31, NA3HL Did not qualify 2015–16 Minnesota Flying Aces NA3HL 47 11 34 2 — 24 124 248 5th of 5, West Div.26th of 34, NA3HL Did not qualify 2016–17 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 22 22 2 1 47 148 175 5th of 5, West Div.30th of 48, NA3HL Did not qualify 2017–18 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 22 21 4 0 48 159 182 4th of 5, West Div.23rd of 42, NA3HL Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks 2018–19 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 12 33 2 0 26 110 217 7th of 7, West Div.29th of 36, NA3HL Did not qualify 2019–20 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 18 24 3 2 41 146 210 5th of 6, West Div.23rd of 34, NA3HL Did not qualify 2020–21 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 40 22 18 0 0 44 147 138 3rd of 5, West Div.16th of 31, NA3HL Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Granite City LumberjacksLost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls 2021–22 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 32 14 0 1 65 219 121 3rd of 6, West Div.11th of 34, NA3HL Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-2 vs. Mason City Toros 2022–23 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 20 25 0 2 42 155 207 4th of 6, West Div.24th of 34, NA3HL Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks 2023–24 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 16 28 2 1 35 160 189 5th of 6, West Div.25th of 34, NA3HL Did not qualify 2024–25 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 22 24 1 0 41 130 167 4th of 6, West Div.21st of 35, NA3HL Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks 2025-26 Willmar Warhawks NA3HL 47 19 26 2 0 40 166 188 5th of 6, West Div.28th of 38, NA3HL Did not qualify
Coaching History
As of 3/11/26 Tenure Head coach Years Record Pct. 2016-17 Chris Blasius † 1+ 31–30–1–0 2017-18 Steve Yurichuk 1 6-4-1-0 2017-18 Mike Bowman †† 1 7-11-2-0 2018-19 Saverio Posa 1 12-33-2-0 2019–22 Kirk Olimb 3 72–60–0–2 2022–23 Connor White & Kyle Christensen ††† 1 20–25–2–0 2023–present Payton Ruter 3 57-78-5-1
† Chris Blasius stepped was the head coach for the 2016-17 season, and for the first portion of 2017-18 through 11/17/17.
†† Mike Bowman was hired as fulltime head coach on 12/24/17 to replace interim head coach Steve Yurichuk .
††† Connor White was hired as head coach for 2022-23 season. Kyle Christensen took over as head coach for a portion of the 2022-23 season, before being replaced by Connor White for the remainder of the season. Transition dates have not been able to be verified so both coaches are co-listed for the 2022-23 season.
Statistical leaders
Willmar Warhawks Statistical Leaders The Willmar Warhawks statistical leaders consider all historical statistics commencing with the franchise's move to Willmar, MN, prior to the 2016-17 NA3HL season (2016-present).
Willmar Warhawks Career Points Leaders Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the Willmar Warhawks career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.
NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Years GP G A Pts 1Brandan Holt 2017-20 119 40 74 114 2Michael Sweetland 2020-23 107 44 69 113 3 Tyler Misialek 2021-24 131 59 38 97 4 Eli Slagter 2017-20 133 37 52 89 5 Aidan Callaghan 2024-26 74 34 50 84 6 Mason Wanka 2024-26 55 33 39 72 7Jeremiah Konkel 2020-22 85 31 39 70 8Gabe Adams 2024-26 94 42 24 66 t9Braden Shea 2016-18 78 27 38 65 t9Braydon Buckingham 2022-24 83 26 39 65
Willmar Warhawks Career Goal Leaders Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.
NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Years GP G A Pts 1Tyler Misialek 2021-24 131 59 38 97 2Michael Sweetland 2020-23 107 44 69 113 3Gabe Adams 2024-26 94 42 24 66 4Brandan Holt 2017-20 119 40 74 114 5 Eli Slagter 2017-20 133 37 52 89 6Aidan Callaghan 2024-26 74 34 50 84 7Mason Wanka 2024-26 55 33 39 72 8Jeremiah Konkel 2020-22 85 31 39 70 9Braden Shea 2016-18 78 27 38 65 t10Max Oelkers 2016-18 95 26 37 63 t10Jordan Cooper 2016-18 85 26 25 51 t10 Braydon Buckingham 2022-24 83 26 39 65
Willmar Warhawks Single Season Points Leaders Kyle Wendorf (Richfield, MN) set the Willmar Warhawks NA3HL single season points record during the 2016-17 regular season, the franchise's first season in Willmar, with 56 points.
NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Age Season GP G A Pts 1Kyle Wendorf 20 2016-17 46 24 32 56 2Jeremiah Konkel 19 2021-22 43 25 27 52 3 Brandan Holt 20 2019-20 45 17 34 51 4Anthony Foster 19 2021-22 45 18 32 50 5Michael Sweetland 20 2022-23 42 17 32 49 t6Braden Shea 19 2017-18 47 17 30 47 t6Ben Luedtke 20 2021-22 40 18 29 47 t8 Collin Kerchoff 20 2021-22 41 14 30 44 t8 Nathan Hinze 20 2024-25 47 12 32 44 t8 Aidan Callaghan 19 2024-25 46 22 22 44
Willmar Warhawks Single Season Goal Leaders Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks NA3HL single season goals record during the 2023-24 regular season, with 28 goals.
NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Age Season GP G A Pts 1Tyler Misialek 20 2023-24 46 28 14 42 2Jeremiah Konkel 19 2021-22 43 25 27 52 t3Kyle Wendorf 20 2016-17 46 24 32 56 t3Gabe Adams 20 2025-26 45 24 11 35 5Aidan Callaghan 19 2024-25 46 22 22 44 6Mason Wanka 19 2024-25 32 21 22 43 7Hudson Zinda 20 2023-24 30 20 12 32 t8Eli Slagter 19 2018-19 41 18 21 39 t8Anthony Foster 19 2021-22 45 18 32 50 t8Ben Luedtke 20 2021-22 40 18 29 47 t8Tyler Misialek 19 2022-23 41 18 15 33 t8Gabe Adams 19 2024-25 47 18 12 30
Franchise Statistical Leaders The franchise statistical leaders consider all historical statistics commencing with the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12), including all NA3HL seasons for the Minnesota Flying Aces (2011-2016) & Willmar Warhawks (2016–present).
Franchise Career Points Leaders Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the franchise NA3HL career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.
NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Years GP G A Pts 1Brandan Holt 2017-20 119 40 74 114 2Michael Sweetland 2020-23 107 44 69 113 3Kyle Wendorf 2015-17 93 46 55 101 4Tyler Misialek 2021-24 131 59 38 97 5 Eli Slagter 2017-20 133 37 52 89 6 Aidan Callaghan 2024-26 74 34 50 84 7 Mason Wanka 2024-26 55 33 39 72 8Jake Mullendore 2013-15 74 34 37 71 9Jeremiah Konkel 2020-22 85 31 39 70 10Gabe Adams 2024-26 94 42 24 66
Franchise Career Goal Leaders Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the franchise NA3HL career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.
NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Years GP G A Pts 1Tyler Misialek 2021-24 131 59 38 97 2Kyle Wendorf 2015-17 93 46 55 101 3Michael Sweetland 2020-23 107 44 69 113 4Gabe Adams 2024-26 94 42 24 66 5Brandan Holt 2017-20 119 40 74 114 6 Eli Slagter 2017-20 133 37 52 89 t7Jake Mullendore 2013-15 74 34 37 71 t7Aidan Callaghan 2024-26 74 34 50 84 9Mason Wanka 2024-26 55 33 39 72 10Jeremiah Konkel 2020-22 85 31 39 70
Franchise Single Season Points Leaders Parker Tomczyk (Mosinee, WI) set the franchise NA3HL single season points record during the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12) with 59 points during the regular season.
NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Age Season GP G A Pts 1Parker Tomczyk 20 2011-12 43 29 30 59 2Kyle Wendorf 20 2016-17 46 24 32 56 3Jeremiah Konkel 19 2021-22 43 25 27 52 4 Brandan Holt 20 2019-20 45 17 34 51 5Anthony Foster 19 2021-22 45 18 32 50 6Michael Sweetland 20 2022-23 42 17 32 49 7Paul Sorenson 19 2011-12 48 10 38 48 t8 Jake Mullendore 19 2013-14 48 24 23 47 t8Braden Shea 19 2017-18 47 17 30 47 t8Ben Luedtke 20 2021-22 40 18 29 47
Franchise Single Season Goal Leaders Parker Tomczyk (Mosinee, WI) set the franchise NA3HL single season goal record during the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12) with 29 goals during the regular season.
NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2025-26 Season Rank Player Age Season GP G A Pts 1Parker Tomczyk 20 2011-12 43 29 30 59 2Tyler Misialek 20 2023-24 46 28 14 42 3Jeremiah Konkel 19 2021-22 43 25 27 52 t4Stephen Langford 19 2011-12 40 24 20 44 t4Liam Johnston 18 2011-12 46 24 10 34 t4 Jake Mullendore 19 2013-14 48 24 23 47 t4Kyle Wendorf 20 2016-17 46 24 32 56 t4Gabe Adams 20 2025-26 45 24 11 35 t9Kyle Wendorf 19 2015-16 47 22 23 45 t9Aidan Callaghan 19 2024-25 46 22 22 44
Alumni Blake Anderson (2014) - Kirkland Lake Gold Miners; UW-River Falls (NCAA Division III) Alec Brandrup (2013) - Melville Millionaires; Norwich University (NCAA Division III) Giacomo Del Ponte (2011) - HC Red Ice Martigny-Verbier Brad Hauser (2013) - St. Mary's University (NCAA Division III) Luc Kilgore (2011) - Johnson & Wales University (NCAA Division III); Knoxville Ice Bears, Macon Mayhem (SPHL) Johno May (2013) - Minnesota Wilderness; American International College (NCAA Division I) Lee Melde (2010) - Duluth Clydesdales; State University of New York at Canton (NCAA Division III) Dylan Nelson (2013) - Waywayseecappo Wolverines; UW-Superior (NCAA Division III) Tyler Pionk (2012) - Minot Minotauros; Western New England University (NCAA Division III) André Pison (2013) - Denmark U18 and U20; Wenatchee Wild; Wichita Falls Wildcats Michael Raynee (2010) - Botkyrka HC Tate Sykes (2013) - Odessa Jackalopes; UW-Eau Claire (NCAA Division III) Mason Wyman (2013) - Odessa Jackalopes; Gustavus (NCAA Division III)
References
External links WarHawks website NA3HL website